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Chapter 25
New Friends
I’m just finishing getting ready when my phone starts ringing, but I can tell by the ring that it’s facetime, so I assume it’s my mom or Elise calling me. I hurry over to where my phone is on the charger and grab it, not bothering to look at the name. When I connect to the video call, I’m a bit shocked at what I’m seeing. I’m thinking that someone misdialed as the view I have is of a male’s body with a towel wrapped so low on their hips that I can see the deep V…and are those pubes sticking out of the top of the towel?
The camera begins to move upward, and I see nothing but abs with great definition, telling me that this person works out. My heart is beating really fast as I begin to get the feeling that I know that chest, but it can’t be…it’s been three long weeks without a word. Suddenly, green eyes that appear and a smile that I will always hold dear greet me, and before I can say anything, he greets me first.
“Hello, Ella. You have been a very naughty girl!”
I suck in a much-needed breath, “Jace…”
“Oh, so you do know who I am?” he asks sarcastically with a smirk, “I thought maybe you had forgotten who I was, since you never bothered to say goodbye, or even tell me that you got into Yale.”
I’m at a loss for words, and don’t really have an excuse as to why I never told him I was leaving. At least not one that he will like. I didn’t think he wanted to talk to me since I hadn’t heard from him after that night. How am I supposed to know that he would have accepted my call or responded to my text?
“Jace, I never heard back from you after that night. I waited a week and a half before I booked my flight. I thought you were through with me.”
“How many times have I told you that I’m not going anywhere, Ella? What’s it going to take for you to realize that you are mine, for always?” He looks away for a moment, and when he peers back at me, I can see a bit of hurt in his eyes, but I know he will never admit to it, “Why didn’t you tell me that you got into Yale? When did you know that you would be going to a college all the way across the United States?”
I glance down, closing my eyes, because I know this is going to upset him. When I lock eyes with him again, I hesitate. For some reason I don’t want to hurt him, but I know I can’t lie to him either, “Actually, my original flight was supposed to be the day after my attack. I was on my way home from grabbing last minute items when they stopped me,” I feel a sting starting in my eyes and I’m not sure if I will be able to hold the tears back, “That’s how they knew that I was out and about, because I ran into Kaylee in the store.”
I can see really see the hurt now, but then it changes to anger and I wait for the explosion that I know is coming, but then it never comes. This is something new. I wouldn’t have blamed him for being upset with me, but I never expected him to calm his emotions before he tries talking to me again. This isn’t the bully that tormented me for two years; it isn’t the bully that got mad at me if I said something out of turn, and it definitely isn’t the bully that shoved me into lockers or hit things out of my hands before laughing with his friends.
“Ella, I don’t understand why you kept all of this from me. Do you hate me that much because of what I’ve done? Is there no redeeming myself with you?” He asks me these questions with no emotion.
“I don’t hate you, Jace, I could never hate you. I dislike you at times, but never hate. I am working on forgiving you, but it’s not something that happens overnight.”
“How am I supposed to make it up to you if you’re all the way over in New England?” He scoffs.
I smile because this is the Jace I know, “Well, for starters, what we are doing right now will be enough until I come home for breaks. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, so you could prepare for my absence, but again, you left me on the sidewalk without so much as a goodbye the last time we were together.”
“I know I fucked up that night by leaving it that way, but I needed to get away from you because I didn’t want to hurt you. I went back to the training facility that night, and I just got back today. I was trying to be better for you, Ella. It’s hard changing from being a bully towards you to trying to be somebody that you would want to be with.” He chuckles sadly.
“Oh, Jace…”
“Forget it, Ella, it’s fine. I will figure it out,” he looks me over and then gives me a weird look, “Why are you dressed up, you don’t have a date, do you?”
I hold back my giggle as I look myself over, “I’m wearing jeans and a sweater, Jace. I’m hardly dressed up.”
“Why are you wearing makeup then?” He lifts a brow.
“It’s mascara and lip gloss, that’s all. I’m going up to my friend Reece’s apartment because her and her roommate are hosting a game night with friends.”
He grunts, “You know you’re still mine, right?”
I bite my lip and study him for a moment, “Am I? I guess we will have to talk about it more when I get back home.”
“Ella,” he says my name in warning.
“Don’t worry, Jace. I’m not going to date anyone until we have talked, I promise.” I roll my eyes jokingly, but a grunt comes over the speaker of the phone.
“Did you just roll your eyes at me?” That voice that does things to my girly bits comes through.
“I’m sorry, Jace.”
“You’re going to be sorry when I redden that pretty peach of yours next time I see you.” He’s being totally serious but there is still humor hidden in his eyes, “Go to the bathroom, Ella.”
“Huh, why?” I’m lost.
